Deng scores career-best 40 in Bulls' victory

Ninety minutes before tipoff, Luol Deng reclined on the locker-room floor, watching some film, not a care in the world.

"I'm not happy about my start offensively," Deng said. "But I'm also not worried because I know it will come around."

If this basketball thing doesn't work out, maybe Deng can try his hand at predicting the future.

Monday night at the United Center, Deng dazzled at both in the Bulls' 110-98 victory over the previously undefeated Trail Blazers.

From the moment an active Deng stole a pass from Andre Miller and scored on a fast break early to the last of his career-high 40 points, the senior Bull put to rest questions about his slow start.

Following a stellar preseason, Deng played well defensively through the Bulls' first two games but struggled with 30 percent shooting and had averaged just 11 points. Monday night, Deng hit his first five shots and finished 14-for-19 from the field.

"He got 40 points, but it wasn't off isolations," Kyle Korver said. "It wasn't like we were standing around watching Lu. That's pretty special. And that keeps everybody in the game."

Indeed, with the Trail Blazers trapping Derrick Rose at virtually every opportunity, this was an equal-opportunity offense. Rose matched his career high with 13 assists as the Bulls shot a sizzling 60.6 percent, their highest percentage since scoring 151 points against the Bucks on 67 percent shooting on April 14, 2008.

"Derrick was terrific," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He got a fast pace to the game. He got us easy opportunities. He's reading what's happening. They trapped him more. And he made the right play."

All 11 players who received playing time scored. Korver propped up a sagging bench in his most active game with 11 points. Omer Asik played well for the second straight game to finish with six points, seven rebounds and three blocks before fouling out.

Joakim Noah posted his third straight double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

But the story of the night was Deng, who also played active defense again.

"I kept playing hard on defense and didn't let my offense get to me," Deng said. "I always felt my defense was good in this league. I think it stands out more now because we're a defensive team and my help is so much better and more noticed."

"I like this offense, and I work too hard for my game not to come around," Deng said before the game. "I just need to find my rhythm. It's a long season. It's happened before where I played great and everybody got excited. As long as we're winning, it's fine. The offense will come."